inger Ed Sheeran defended on Tuesday night his decision to continue his US tour after rapper Macklemore — one of his supporting acts — was for calling for a free Palestine on stage. The tour has become a litmus test for support for Palestine, as all four opening acts have since announced they are dropping out of the shows.
Sheeran posted a statement on Instagram, saying he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and that there were “too many wars across the world”.
“The suffering and pain caused on both sides is human tragedy,” Sheeran said.
The singer said Macklemore had approached him a year ago to join the tour and like all of Sheeran’s other supporting acts, he was allowed to choose his own setlist.
Sheeran confirmed that the rapper was dropped from the tour following threats from venue owners — including Robert Kraft, an American billionaire with ties to Israel — saying they would not allow shows to proceed if Macklemore was performing.
The singer said he spent a week talking to venues and to “promoters, along with activists on both sides” to try and come to a resolution, “but the venues’ and promoters’ decision was final”.
Sheeran said he would never let down his fans, nor would he abandon the people attached to his tour, but the decision to boot Macklemore from the tour came from the promoter.
The ‘Shape of You’ singer said his shows were “a place for everyone to feel welcome” and he had his “personal views on the devastating conflict” that he chooses to keep away from his professional platform.
“There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics — my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum,” he wrote.
While Macklemore said the singer was a friend he happened to disagree with, Sheeran just said he respects the rapper’s “strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes”. He said there was, however, “room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace”.
“If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change,” Sheeran said.
Supporting acts withdraw from tour
The backlash to Sheeran’s statement was severe, with all the musical artists set to perform with him bowing out from the tour in support of Macklemore.
Singer Finneas, who was set to support Sheeran in six shows in November, withdrew from the tour on Tuesday saying, “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.
